Stamp-affixing machine.



No. 875,968. PATENTED JAN. 7, 1908. W. C. VAN VLIET. STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24. 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A ttest In ventor ms FE1 n., wAsmNcroN. n. c.

PATENTED JAN. 7\ 1908. W. VAN VLIET. STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLIATIOL FILED APR 24 1905 10 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

Attest: WMM 6 Wam Inventor.'

Atty

THE No'ems PE-rsRs co', wAsmNoroN, n, c.

` byyg acm.;

No. 875,968. PATENTED JAN. '7, 1908.

' W. G. VAN VLIET.

STAMP APPIXING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED 1l-3.24. 1906.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1 'IlIllllIll/lll n MIK , 5 Attest: n. g gm Mlm/elliot: www( A tty TME NoRRls PETER: co., wAsHmaraN. D. c4

No. 875,968. PATBNTED JAN. '7, 1908. W. G. VAN VLIBT.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APB..24. 1905.

1o sHmTs-SHBET '4.

7Atte-st: MM 26W M Inventor: @.m l by WM M Atty 1HE Nonms PErERs co., wnsmncfou. D. c.

PATENTED JAN. 7, 1908.

1o SHEETS-SHEET 5:

W. G. VAN VLIBT.

1HE NoRms PETERS ca.. wAsHlNcwN, n. c.

STAMP APFIXING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.24.1905.

.2. .Sr \m u f,.... Wu NLII T\\ m WQ\ &\. @Q\.\ \mu Xv -WM w A tt'est www# No. 875,888. EATENTED JAN. v, 1808.

- W. c. VAN VLIET.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 828.211.1805.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Attest: mw w M Inventor.-

p /f by N M4 fy TH: NoRms PETER: ca.. wAsmNcroN, n. c.

W. C. VAN VLIET. STAMP APFIXING MACHINE.

PATENTED JAN. '7, 1908.

APPLICATION FILED APR.Z4,1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

Attest: 774g@ Mm @mi Inventor:

l b fQ M WM y Arty.

fue Nunms Fsrslzs ro., wAsMmcroN, u c.

No. 875,968. PATENTED JAN. '7, 1908.

W. C. VAN VLIET. 4 STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24. 1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

inventor rsu: pcm, wAsHmcfoN, o4 c.

No. 875,968. PATBNTBD JAN. v, 1908. W. o. VAN VLIBT.

STA MP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLIATION FILED APR.24,1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

nia@ Q /w/ In ventor No. 875,968. PATENTED JAN. 7, 1908. W. C. VAN'VLIET.

STAMP APFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24.1905.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1'0.

1m: Hamers Psfrns co., wAsHmcroN, n. c.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM G. VAN VLIET, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STAMP-AFFIXING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7', 1908.

Application filed April 24. 1905- Serial No. 257,147.

T 0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, VILLIAM C. VAN VLIET, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Aflixing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine for applying stamps or labels to envelops, pack ages, etc.

By my invention I am enabled to construct a stamp afliXin-g or labeling machine which shall be compact, and possess the advantage of having substantially the operating mechanism covered or inclosed b y a main lid or top frame by which the stamps are held in full view of the operator. The said top frame is hinged to a main base plate, and it is between the said top frame and base plate that the main mechanism is contained and operated. The said top frame is formed with slots through which the feeders operate on a sheet of stamps, say a sheet of one hundred stamps, more or less, and operate to feed them in successive rows to a narrow table from which, or upon which, the stamps are fed singly to the place of application, where they lare moisten'ed and applied to the envelops or packages. All the mechanism which manipulates the row of stamps on the said narrow table operates with each stroke of the main operating lever, while the feeders for the sheet of stamps on the main table, operate once for each ten strokes of the main operating lever. The stamps are held down to the feeders by a smooth cover-a sheet of glass or transparent celluloid, so that the feeders on the upward and forward motion engage with the gunm: ed side of the stamps and move them all forward by a positive and reliable action. The transparent cover is held in a frame hinged to the upper table so that no trouble will be experienced in supplying the machine with sheets of stamps or labels. The feeders operate upon a four-motion principle, that is, up, forward, down and backward, and each stamp is acted upon positively so that they do not depend upon being connected in the sheet in order to be fed forward properly, but separate stamps torn from the sheet will be properly fed forward equally as well as if not separated from the sheet. The same is true of the rows of stamps.

All the parts are operated from a single main operating lever, that is to say, by the reciprocation of a single lever; the feeders for the sheet of stamps are given a four-motion operation once for every ten strokes of the lever, the cutter for severing the rows of stamps from the sheet of stamps is likewise operated once for each ten strokes of the main lever, while the feeder for the rows of stamps, the cutter for severing the single stamps from the rows of stamps, the moistener, the plunger and the puller are all given their proper operation, and in proper time, once for each stroke of the main lever.

My invention consists of and in the construction, arrangemeiit and combinations of parts all as hereinafter described and claimed.

1n the accompanying drawings to which reference is made and which form a part of this specification: Figure 1, is a plan view of the complete machine in condition for operation-with the main top-'frame A closed, and showing the envelop supporting table T in position and held in place by the screws a, a. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the table T removed and showing the top frame A lifted upon its hinges, so that it, the cutter for single stamps and the plunger mounted thereon are seen in*edge view. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the base plate and the operating parts mounted thereon, the plate on which the sheet of stamps is held and the feeders therefor being removed. Fig. 4 is a similar but detailed view showing some of the operating parts in the position they assume after the main operating lever has been moved Afully to the left, the plate 7, and feeders S, being broken away. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. G is a sectional elevation on the line (ivo of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation onthe line 7-7 of Fig. 2. Figs. S and 9 are detailed sectional elevations. Figs. l0 and 10L are detailed views of the puller Afor shifting the stamps 'from the inoistener to a position beneath the plunger. Fig. l l is a detailed sectional elevation showing a portion of the feeders S and the means vfor moving them vertically. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed view of the cutter and the means for moving it vertically. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detailed sectional elevation of the main top frame, the 'feeder Vfor the rows of stamps, one of the feeders for the sheet of stamps, the stam) tables and the cutter. Fig. 14 is a detaile sectional elevation of the feeder for the rows of stamps and a portion of the mechanism for operating the same. Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional elevation for the cutter for the single stamps. Fig. 16 is an enlarged broken and sectional elevation of the plunger. Fig. 17 is an enlarged elevation of the moistener and puller. Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the moistener fountain, and Figs. 19 and 20 show a modification.

In the drawings A designates the main top frame, T the front table for supporting the envelops E or other packages to receive the stamps or labels, which table is held in place by the screws c, a, and may be removed and S designates a support for the entire machine.

The lever 2 is the main operating lever. It is fulcrumed on a stud 3 held on Ithe main bed plate 4. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) A ratchet 5 journaled on said stud 3 is adapted to be intermittently rotated by the said main operating lever 2. The said ratchet plate 5 is formed or provided with a heart cam 6 and race 6b which parts by means of the stud 6a on the bottom of the plate 7 move the plate 7, on which are mounted the feeders 3, forward and back, once forv each revolution of the ratchet plate 5, the feeders 3 serving to move the sheet of stamps 26 on the stamp table 47, (see Figs. 7 and 13,) forward towards the knife or cutter 9, which, at the proper time, cuts a row of stamps from the said sheet of stamps.

There is another cam 1() carried by the said ratchet plate 5 which operates a llever 12 (Fig. 3) fulcrumed at 13 and connected by a link 14 to slide back and forth a plate 15 which, by means of a diagonal cam or slot 16 becomes the primary for depressing the knife or cutter 9. At the time, in the rotation of the ratchet 5, the cam 10 passes the head 1 3 of the lever 12, a spring 19 returns the plate 15 back toiits normal osition and allows the cutter 9 to be force suddenly upward to cause it to sever a row of stamps from the sheet of stamps which has been fed forward during the depression of the cutter.

The reciprocation of the lever 2 is, as here shown, caused to intermittently rotate the ratchet 5 by means of a spring pawl 2() which engages with the teeth 21, in the ratchet plate-back lash being prevented by the dog 22. The pawl 2O is pivoted to a plate 23 ivoted to the stud 3 and in it is formed a s Ot 24 in which works a stud 25 on the short arm of the main lever 2. In this way while the short arm of the lever has a considerable sweep it does not carry the pawl 2O beyond proper bounds, in other words the short arm of the main lever 2 has a certain amount of movement independently of the pawl 20. I do not limit myself to this particular means of obtaining the said independent or differential movement of the lever and pawl, as other means may be employed to accomplish the same end,

aveces poses hereinafter described. There is also connected to the main operating lever 2, by a headed stud 33, a slotted link 33u which is pivoted to the sliding plate 39, so that the movement of the lever 2 will reciprocate the plate 39 back and forth between suitable supports, here shown as four keepers 40, which embraces its edges-that is to say, when, in the outward or right hand stroke of the lever 2 the stud 38 reaches the end of the slot in the link 38, it will draw back the plate 39, and on the reverse stroke the stud 3S will strike the end of the plate 39 and shove it back to its original position-that shown in Fig. 4. In the said reciprocating plate 39 are formed two cams or slots 41, 42 for the purposes hereinafter described.

The parts thus far described work practically upon the upper surface of the base plate 4.

Having thus referred to some of the primary movements and members of the machine, I will now describe the first movement of the stamps or labels.

The machine as here shown is designed to receive a sheet 26 (Figs. 7 and 13) of say one hundred postage stamps. These are placed upon the stamp supporting table 47 practically at the top of the machine which table is by preference hinged to the main base 4 of the machine by hinges 43, so that it can be lifted to upright position as showninFig. 2. The sheet 26 of stamps is held down on the table 47 by a plate or cover 49, (Figs. 1, 7 and 13) preferably of transparent celluloid or glass, so that the stamps may at all times be seen. The stamp table 47 is slotted, or, by preference is formed of narrow plates 50 which are spaced to form the several narrow slots or spaces 50a (Fig. 1) up through which the several stamp feeders 8 (Figs. 2, 4, and 11) are projected so that their upper edges will engage, grasp, or make firm contact With the stamps between the said upper edges of the feeders and the under surface of the cover 49, so that when the feeder supporting or carrying plate 7 (Figs. 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11) is moved forward by the race 6b, the feeders will move the sheet of stamps forward over the cutter 9 the distance of the width of one row of stamps.

The feeders 8 are by preference provided with soft rubber edges 52 (Fig. 11), preferably in narrow strips, the edges of which make contact with the lower gummed surfaces of the stamps where they overlie the narrow slots or spaces 50a. The feeders S have an up and down movement as well as a back and forth movement and for this purpose have springs 53-53 placed beneath them resting on the plate 7 (Figs. 2, 7, 8, and 11) so that the feeders h ave yielding contact with the stamps. The feeders are depressed against the tension of the said springs as here shown by a pair of bars or plates 54454 (Figs. 2, 7, and 11) in which are formed diagonal slots 55-55 (Fig. 11) in which slots work studs 56w56 (Fig. 2) which are secured to the longitudinally movable bars 57-57. The ends of these bars 57v57 are held in contact with a transverse bar 5S (Figs. 2, 11) which is formed with diagonal cams 59-59, so that the longitudinal movement of the bar 5S will shove back the bars 57H57 and cause studs 56-56 thereto attached and working in the diagonal slots 55u-55 to force down the said bars 54-54 and the feeders S thereto attached, this downward movement being against the pressure of the springs .53"53, which, as above described, press upward upon the feeders.

It will be understood that the feeders S are held upward against the stamps while the feeders are being moved forward by the cam race 6b acting on the stud 6 on the bottom of the plate 7, and that they are depressed when they are moved back to the right by the circular or concentric portion of the cam 6.

The curved dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4 indicate the path of travel of a stud 64 on the main operating lever 2 when the said lever is reciprocated. /Vith this rin view and keeping in view the fact that the plate 7, the feeders 8, the bars 544-54, the bars .57*57 and the bar 5S are moved forward to the left from the position shown Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 4 with each tenth stroke of the main operating lever, the following' description oll the operation of the bar 5S will be clearly understood. The said transverse bar 5S (see Figs. 8, 9 and 11) is connected to the center of a lever 60 by a pin 62 working in a slot 63. The lever 6() is fulcrumed at 61 to an upright 61l mounted on the plate 7. Vhen the plate 7 and the feeders mounted thereon are moved back to the position shown in F ig. 2 the lever 6() is outside of the path of the stud 64 on the main operating lever 2, but when the plate 7 and the feeders are moved forward to the position shown in F 4 the lower end of the lever 6() is in the path of movement of said stud 64 so that on the next back stroke of the lever 2 the said stud 64 strikes the lower end of the lever 6() and moves it back causing the bolt 62 to draw back the bar 58 causing its diagonal or cam edges 59-59 (Fig. 2) to shove back the bars 57-57, thus causing the studs 56-56 working in the slots 55-55 to depress the bars 54-54 and the feeders 8 as above described. This depression is against the pressure of the springs 53453 as above described` 65 designates another lever centrally fulcrumed by a bolt 66 to an upright 66;L mounted on the plate 7. lts upper end is connected to the bar 58 by a bolt 67 and slot 67u. When the feeders are in their rearward position as shown in Fig. 2, the lever 65 is tilted as shown in Fig. S, so that the main operating lever 2 will pass under and free of it, but when the lower end of the lever 6() is struck by the stud 64 and moved to the position shown in Fig` E) the lever 65 is brought to vertical position by the bar 5S and stud 67 as shown in Fig. i). 'lhe lever 65 remains in vertical position until the. plate 7 and the feeders are moved back to the position shown in Fig. 2 which brings the lower end oll the lever 65 into the path ol' the stud 64, so that the latter strikes its lower end and shifts it back to the position shown in Fig. S, thus drawing the bar 5S forward to its original position, so that the ends of the bars 57-57 come back to their normal position in the deep portions of cams or notches ."6 59 in the bar 5S thus allowing the springs .5S-53 to lift the feeders.

Having thus described the feeders for the sheet of labels or stamps 26 and the preferred parts whereby a four-motion operative feeder is obtained, Vl will now proceed to describe the operation of the knife or cutter ar ranged for severing the rows of stamps from the main sheet 26 and the means for the subsequent manipulation of the rows of stamps.

Just prior to the time the sheet of stamps 26 is moved forward the sliding plate 15 (Figs. 2, 3, 6 and l2) is drawn back by the action of the lever 12. rlhis movement of this plate causes the diagonal slot 16 therein to move longitudinally the bar or plate 70 through the medium of the end piece 71 (Figs. 2 and 12) the lower end of which end piece enters the slot 16. A pair of toggles 727 73 (Figs. 6 and 12) operated bythe bar 70 raise and lower the cutter 9; that is the.

upper links 72 and 73L of the toggles are fastened to stationary arms 74 attached to the uprights 74l rising from the main base plate 4, while the lower links are attached to-the downwardly projecting plates 75 which arc fastened to the cutter 9. The joint of each Itoggle is held by a bolt 76, which work in row of stamps from the sheet of stamps as above mentioned.

The cutter 9 is by preference formed with a scalloped cutting edge to increase its efficiency, and its said cutting edge works in a narrow slot 78 (Figs. 1, 7 and 13) between the stamp table 47 and a narrow table 79, (slotted as shown at 96), which narrow table receives the rows of stamps as they are cut successively from the main sheet of stamps. A feeder plate operates at right angles to the main feeders 8 for the sheet of stamps, and moves the stamps on the narrow table 79 forward to a cutter 81 (Figs. 1 and 15) and a moistener 82.

The feeder 80 has an upward, forward, downward and backward motion imparted to it at right angles to the like movements of the feeders 8. The forward and backward motion of the feeder 80 is derived from the above-mentioned cam or slot 35 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) formed in the above-'mentioned sliding plate 33. This operates to reciprocate the bar 83 (Figs. 7 and 14) the same be-.

ing provided with a stud 84 which works in the said cam or slot 35. The feeder plate 80, as here shown, is a separate part from the bar 83 and is pressed upward by a pair of springs 85-85 (Figs. 5 and 14). 1t is drawn downward against the pressure of the springs 85 by a bar 86 (Figs. 2, 5, 7) which presses downward on a pair of studs 87 #87, the bar 86 being given the proper motion for this purpose by the levers 88-88 (Fig. 5) to the upper ends of which it is attached, the lower ends of said levers being connected to the synchronizing bar 89, (Figs. 5 and 7) which is reciprocated by a stud Fig. 8) which works in the slot 86 in the sliding plate 33. During the forward movement of the bar 83 (that is towards the moistener) the feeder 80 is locked to the bar, so as to move with it. This may be accomplished by various means. As here shown it is accomplished by the lateral projections 91-91 (Fig. 14) secured on the feeder, and the com- `plemental recesses 91-92 in the said bar 83. Then the bar 83 reaches the limit of its forward movement, indicated by the arrow in Fig. 14, the synchronizing bar 89 (Fig. 5) is drawn back by its stud 90 working in the slot 36 of the plate 33, causing the levers 88-,88 to draw the bar 86 downward upon the studs 87-87, thus depressing the feeder plate 80, and disconnectingthe projections 91v-91 (Fig. 14) from the notches 92-92, whereupon the feeder 80 is drawn back to its original position by the spring 93.

The narrow table 79 to which the rows of stamps are fed from the main table 47 is provided with acover 94 (Figs. 1, 7 and 13) preferably of transparent celluloid or glass which confines the row of stamps on the table from above, that is to say there is a narrow space 79a between the table 79 and the said cover 94 to receive the rows of stamp from a narrow space 47a of the table 47 which rows of stamps are held down on the table by the cover 94. The feeder 80 is by preference provided with a strip 95 (Fig. 13) of some soft material such for example as soft india rubber to engage with the row of stamps during the forward movement. The said feeder 80 works in a slot 96 (abovementioned) in the table 79. From the table 79 the stamps pass upon the moistener 82 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 17) and at this time the cutter 81 (Figs. 1 and 15) severs the stamp from the row which stamp now lies on the top of the moistener. A

The cutter 81, Aas here shown, is mounted upon a plate 98 (Figs. 1 and 15) held to slide up and down on guide posts 99-99 secured to the top of the main top frame A. A spring 100 is connected to the said plate or stock 98 as shown, and to the said plate or stock is also connected a toggle connection 101 (Figs. 1 and 15). A lever 102 is connected to the joint 103 of the said toggle connection which lever passes through a slot 1'03C on the main top frame A and is`fulcrumed at 108C. The lower end of the lever 102, when the top frame A is closed, reaches to a point between the two opposite trip lingers 104,105 (Figs. 2,3 and 15)which properly reciprocates the lever 102, first, for straightening the toggle connection 101 thus lifting the plate or stock 98 and its cutter 81 against the tension of the spring 100, and, second, for tripping the toggle connection, whereupon the said spring 100 suddenly returns the stock and cutter causing the cutter 81 to descend into a slot or space 106 between the cover 94 and a cover 107 (Fig. 1) which is held over the moistener 82, thus severing a stamp from the row of stamps, leaving it on top of the moistener. The said trips or fingers 104, are mounted on a plate or frame 108, 109, 110, 111 (Fig. 3) which is reciprocated by the cam or slot 37 in the sliding plate 33; the said plate` or frame being provided with a stud 112 which works in said slot or cam. l

A stamp having been severed from the row of stamps and being thus disposed upon the top of the moistener the moistener is lifted soas to squeeze the stamp between the moistener and the superposed cover 107, thus insuring a thorough wetting and softening of gummed surface of the stamp. The moistener may be thus lifted or moved up and down by any suitable means. As here shown a cam 113 (Figs. 2, 5 and 17 is attached to it or rather to a frame or boX 118 which holds the moistener, and to the sliding frame 109 is pivoted an arm 114 which is provided at its free end with a roller or projection 115, which, on the forward movement passes beneath the cam 113 and lifts the moistener, while on the rearward movement it rides over the top ol" the' said cam. Vhen the roller or projection 115 passes the cam 113 a spring 116 presses the moistener and frame 118 down to normal positionthough gravity may be relied upon for this purpose, and the spring 116 dispensed with.

The moistener, as here shown, as a whole and in detail comprises a permanent box or frame 117 slotted at 117 a, and mounted on the bed plate 4, a box 118 which slides vertically on said permanent frame 117, and a reservoir or fountain 119. This reservoir or Afountain comprises a main reservoir 120, and two hollow uprights 121, 121, arranged to leave a space 122 between them. The top oi: each of the uprights 121 is formed with one or more slots 123 and the side is formed with one or more slots 124. In the slots 121 is placed a moistening pad or wick 126 of lelt or other capillary material the inner end of which reaches into the water contained in the main reservoir 120 while lthe upper end is returned and inserted 'back through the slot 124. 1n this way the siphoning, if any takes place, is back into the main reservoir avoiding all overflow and drip and besides evaporation is very largely prevented. ln the arrangeme-nt shown the capillary material forms two or more moistening pads spaced from each other.

Inv the space 122 in the moistener works the front end oi a stamp puller or shifting device 130 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, 10, 10lL and 17) Vfor shifting the moistened stamp Afrom the top of the moistener to a position ready to be applied to an envelo E, or other package, held on the front ta )le T.

As here shown the pullers proper 131 are connected with or made as a part of a bar 1.32 which is held to slide longitudinally in slots in a pair of keepers 133, 134 (Figs. 2, 3 and 17). These keepers are held to slide up and down on the slotted and permanent upright plates 135, 136 secured to the base plate 4. The bar 132 is supported on springs 137, 138 (Figs. 5 and 17) which normally hold the bar elevated so that the pullers 131, will engage with the moistened stamp pressing it up against the cover 107.

The bar 132 while held up by the said` springs is moved backward to shi'lt the stamp under the plunger by a bar 14() (Figs. 2, 5 and 6), which is reciprocated by the cam or slot 41 (Figs. 2 and 3) in the sliding plate 39, the said bar being provided with a stud .41 which works in said cam or slot 41. The bar 132 connects with the bar 140 when the latter is moved backward this connection being made, as here shown, by means ol" a 'finger 142 which engages with a pin 143 on the bar (Figs. 6, 10 and 17). At the end ol the backward stroke ot' the bar 140 the bar 132 is depressed against the upward pressure of its supporting springs so that the finger spring 144 returns the bar 132 while in its depressed condition so as to place the pullers 131 again beneath the stamp on the moistener. The bar 132 being mounted on springs causes the pullers 131 to engage the stamp against the cover 107 by a Tielding pressure. rl`he bar 132 when the pullers are in a position beneath the stamp on the moistener is raised to engage the stamp and cause the finger 142 to engage with the pin 143 by a movement of the above-mentioned keepers 133, 134, which upward movement is produced by .lour cams 150 formed on the members 109 and 111 of the sliding frame 108, which cams work beneath four studs 152 secured to the edges ol" the said kee ers. When the cams 150 are moved back trom vbeneath the studs 152 the springs 153 draw the keepers down to normal position, though gravity might be relied upon for this purpose and the springs dispensed with.

As here shown the bar 132 is depressed to disengage it from the operating bar 140, that is, to disengage the 'finger 142 from the pin 1.43 by a pair ol bell-crank levers 155, 156 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6) having arms 157, 158 (Fig. 2) overlying the top of the bar. The bell crank levers are pivotcd at 159, 160 to rigid arms 161, 162 (Figs. 2 and 5) and the lower members of said levers are pivoted to a bar 163 which is reciprocated by the cam or slot 42 (Fig. 2) in the sliding plate'39, the bar being provided with a stud 164 which works in said slot.

The moistened stamp having been shifted from the top of the moistcner it will drop down upon the envelop E supported on the table T beneath the plunger 170 which descends and sticks the stamp fast to the envelop.

The plunger 170 (Figs. 1, 2 and 16) is supported in a frame 17.1 mounted on the main -top frame A by means ol" a stern 172, on

which is placed a spring 173 which constantly tends to press the plunger downward,

through an opening 17 0l in the frame A. One side of the plunger is formed with an inclined cam or [lange 174. 175 (Fig. 1) designates a plate held on top of the main frame A by the bolts 176, 176 and slots 177, 177 so as to be adapted to slide thereon-the plate being held forward by a spring 178. The 'front end ol the plate 175 by means of an arm 17 9 operates in one direction a lever 180 (Figs. 2, 16) a spring 181 returning the same. Connected to thelever 180 by means ei a bolt 182 and slot 183 is a rod 184 to the end o'f which is connected a stud or roller 185 which runs on top of the top lrame A and beneath the inclined llange 174 and thus elevates the plunger against the pressure of thespring 173. The rear or opposite end of the plate 17 5 is bent downward to form a leg 186 (Figs. 1 and 2) which works in a slot G5 142 disengages the pm 143, whereupon a 187 in the main top frame A and is adapted to be struck by a projection 188 on the main operating lever 2, so as to draw back the plate 175 by the arm 179, the lever 180, the rod 184 and the stud or roller 185 against the tension of the spring 181, thus causing the roller 185 acting on the cam 174 to lift the plunger. Upon the reverse stroke of the main operating lever 2 another projection 189 thereon strikes the lower end of the lever 180 and moves back the rod 184 and the roller 185 and allows the plunger to drop upon the stamp on the envelop and stick it fast to the envelop.

200 (Fig. 2) designates guides on the under surface of the top frame A, which, when the said frame is closed down serve to guide thev front ends of the feeders 8 and to brace them against lateral movement, and 201, 201 (F 1) designate hinges to which the transp arent top 49 of celluloid or glass is secured.

203 (Fig. 10) designatesa stop or linger rising from the plate T which finger serves to prevent the moistened stamps from being drawn back by the backward movement of the pullers 131.

The operation is as follows: A sheet of labels or stamps having been placed upon the stamp table 47 and the cover 49 closed down, the main operating lever 2 will be reciprocated back and forth. Taking the position as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the lever 2 is on its stroke to the left, the completion of the stroke will shove the plate 39 to the position shown in Fig. 4, advance the ratchet wheel 5, and advance the cam 10 thereon past the head 18 of the lever 12, and cause the cam race 6b to move to the left the plate 7 and the feedersv 8. The cam 10 having passed the head 18 of the lever 12 the spring 19 will draw back the slotted plate 15. The lever 2 having now been moved from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 the next stroke of the lever to the right will draw the plate 39 back to the position shown in Fig. 3, causing the stud in the short arm of the lever working in the slot 24, to swing the plate 23, thus setting the pawl 20 back over the next tooth in the ratchet wheel 5, so that on the return stroke of the lever 2 again to the left the ratchet wheel 5 will be turned causing the cam race 6b to return the plate 7 and the feeders 8 to their most backward position where they will remain for ten strokes of the lever 2, being locked in that position by the concentric edge of the cam 6. The said operation of the lever 2 reciprooates also the plate 33 moving it to the left on the right hand stroke of the lever and vice versa. The cam 10 is opposite the cam race 6b so that just before the said cam race moves the plate 7 and feeders 8 forward (thus moving a row of stamps to the left)the plate 15 is moved so that the cutter 9 is depressed out of the way of the said movement of the stamps. The cam 10 having now passed the head of the lever 12 the spring 76'LL throws the cutter upward and severs the row of stamps from the sheet leaving the row of stamps deposited on the narrow table 79. The cutter remains in .elevated position to confine the edges of the row of stamps on the said narrow table until all have been applied in other words, the cutter forms one wall of the channel in which the rows of stamps are moved forward for application.

As soon as a row of stamps has been cut off the feeders 8 are first de ressed away from contact with the sheet o` stamps, and then moved back by the cam race 6O as above described, and they are then moved upward into contact with the sheet of stamps again. This downward and upward movement of the feeders 8 is derived from the notches in the bar 58, the bars 57, 57 and the diagonally slotted bars 54, 54, the bar 58 being drawn back to depress the feeders by the stud 64 on the main operating frame 2 immediately after the feeders have advanced the sheet of stamps one row. The upward movement of the feeders 8 takes place immediately after they reach the limit of their backward move-v ment. This upward movement is due to the lifting action of the springs 53, the bar 58 being-tripped by the stud 64 on the lever 2 striking the lever 65. The springs 53 also serve to cause the upper edges of the feeders to have a l yielding pressure on the sheet of stamps.

. The row of stamps on the table 79 are fed forward while the main feeders 8 remain at rest. They are fed forward by the four-motion feeder 80, operated from the plate 33 as above specified. As each single stamp is cut off from the row of stamps by the knife 106 the stamp rests on the top of the moistener which at this time is elevated to squeeze the stamp between it and a plate 107 above the moistener. This done the moistener moves downward and the .moistened stamp is pulled off from the moistener by the pullers 131 and it drops down upon the envelop E supported upon the front table T. plunger 170 is forced. down upon the stamp sticking it fast to the envelop. The pullers have a forward, downward, backward and upward movement. The downward movement lowers the moistened stamp infront of the stop or finger 203 so that it will not be carried back by the pullers. During the backward movement of the pullers another stamp will have been fed forward to the moistener and cut off. The downward movementlof the pullers is but slight so that the stamps are manipulated in a very thin space in which it is protected from all danger of displacement by currents of air and from which it cannot be easily extracted.

It will be noticed that each stamp as it comes on the moistener is acted upon by two separate devicesa feeder and a puller, and

At this time the that"thesel"operate alternately. InL this way thelstampis allowecito remain upon the moistener a su'flieient length of time for the proper softening of the gum, and while .l have used the term puller applied to one of said devices, it will be understood that a secondary feeding device located on either side of' the moistener, having a relative motion to interrupt the feeding of the stamps, comes within the spirit of my invention. An d ifurthermore, while l have shown the machine constructed to be operated by hand, it will be understood that the lever may be mechanically operated.

When the machine is constructed to be operated by hand, as here shown, l shall provide devices to prevent a partial operation, and forthis purpose l have shown the main operating lever 2 locked against movement in either direction until after the stroke in either direction has been completed. Various devices, variously located, may be employed for this purpose. The devices here shown consist of two racks 204, 205 (see Figs. 19, 20) mounted on the bed plate 4, and a double pawl 206, mounted on the main operating lever 2. The pawls are tripped by coming in contact with trip arms 208 and 209 arranged so that when the outer end of the leveri2 reaches the limit of its stroke to the right, the pawls will be reversed to allow the lever to be moved in the reversed direction,

and when the lever reaches the limit of its stroke to the left the pawls will be again reversed. A double breast 210 and 211 is -formed on the journal 212 of the pawls with which a spring 213 engages to hold them in engagement with their respective racks,`

until tripped by the arms 208 and 200.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure. by Letters Patent is l. In a stamp affiXing machine, a flat table composed of two parts separated to lform a space between them to receive a sheet of stamps, means operating in said space 'for feeding the stamps forward, an auxiliary table composed of two parts separated to -form a space to receive stamps from the Vfirst named. table, means operating in said space of the last named table for feeding a row of stamps `forward at right angles to the movement of the stamps in the first named table, a cutterlocated between the adjacent edges of the said tables a spring -for operating said cutter, means for depressing said cutter against the tension of said spring, means for releasing said cutter and spring, a plunger 'for applying the stamps located at one end of the said auxiliary table and means vfor moistening the stamps, substantially as described.

2. In a stamp aliixing machine, a table 'for supporting .a sheet of stamps, a cover for said table and the stamps thereon, vfeeders beneath and operating on a lower level than said table, another table at right angles to and spaced from the [irst named table, a eoverfor the last-named table andthe stamps thereon, a cutter located in the space between said tables a spring for operating said cutter, means for depressing said cutter against the tension of said spring, lmeans for releasing said cutter and spring and a feeder operating beneath said last named table for moving the stamps thereon, substantially described.

b. In a stamp afliXing machine a slotted table vfor supporting a sheet of stamps, a cover for said table, vfeeders operating in the slots of said table and against the said cover for moving the stamps forward, an auxiliary table spaced from the said first named table and a cutter located between said tables a spring for operating said cutter, means for depressing said cutter against the tension of said spring, means `for releasing said cutter and spring, substantially as described.

4. ln a stamp aflixing machine a slotted table for supporting a sheet of stamps, a cover for said table, Vfeeders for said sheet of stamps and means for in'iparting an upward, forward, dowmvard and backward motion to said feeders, an auxiliary table spaced from the said lirst mentioned table, and a cutter located between said tables a spring for operating said cutter, means for depressing said cutter against the tension of said spring, and means Yfor releasing said cutter' and springs substantially as described.

5. A ratchet wheel, a lever and pawl for rotating the same, a cam on said wheel, a plate held to be reeiprocated by said cam, another plate to which the said pawlis pivoted and which is reciln'oeated by the lever, substantially as described.

(i. A lever, a ratchet wheel journaled on the 'fulcrum of said. lever, a slotted plate pivoted to the said 'fulcrum, a pin connected to the lever and working in said slot and a pawl pivoted to said plate and arranged to engage with the teeth of said ratchet wheel, substantially as described.

7. A ratchet wheel, a cam attached to said ratchet wheel, a lever and pawl for rotating said ratchet wheel, a lever one end of which is engaged by said cam, a cam plate attached to'the opposite end of said lever, a cutter, and means operated by said cam plate for operating said cutter, substantially as described.

S. A main lever, a ratchet wheel rotated thereby, a sliding plate formed with cam slots, a lever connected at one end to said plate and at the other to said 'lever the 'feeders and a plate on which said Vfeeders are mounted, substantially as described.

9. In a stamp aflixing machine three sliding cam plates, a ratchet wheel provided with two cams,'a lever connected to operate said ratchet `wheel and plates and means connected to said respective plates for operating the feeders, the cutter for severing the rows of stamps from the sheet, and the cutter for severing the single stamps from the rows of stamps, substantially as described.

10. In a stamp affixing machine a reciprocating cam plate 15, a bar reciprocated by said cani plate, a 'vertically movable cutter and means connected to said bar and cutter whereby the longitudinal movement of the bar vertically reciprocates the cutter, substantially as described.

11. In a stamp afIiXing machine a reciprocating plate formed with a cam slot 35, a bar 83 reciprocated by said cam slot, an auxiliary table arranged to receive a row of stamps, a feeder for said row of stamps on said table and means whereby the reciprocating motion of the said bar S3 reciprocates the said feeder,

substantially as described.

12. In a stamp afHXing machine, a slotted auxiliary table arranged to receive a row of stamps, a feeder for moving the stamps on said auxiliary table, a bar 83, means for reciprocating the same, means for connecting the said feeder to the said bar, and means for depressing the feeder during its backward movement, substantially as described.

13. In a stamp afliXing machine an auxiliary table adapted to receive a row of stamps, a feeder for moving the stamps along said auxiliary table, a reciprocating bar 33 and means for connecting the feeder to said bar during its backward movement, another bar 89, a reciprocating plate 33 having a slot 36 for reciprocating the last named bar, a pair of levers S8, connected at one end to said bar, a bar 86 connected to the opposite ends of the levers 33, and studs 37 connected to the feeder so as to be depressed by the bar 36, substantially as described.

14. In a stamp aflixing machine an auxiliary table, a cover for said table, a feeder for moving stamps along said table, a moistener located at one end of said auxiliary table, a cover over said moistener and means for moving the moistener vertically, substantially as and for the purposes described.

15. In a stamp affixing machine a moistener having a recess, a feeder operating in said recess for feeding stamps upon said moistener and means for vertically reciprocating said moistener substantially as described.

16. In a stamp aflixing machine a moistener formed with a recess therein, a feeder for feeding stamps upon said moistener, a puller operating in said recess for shifting the stamps from said moistener, means for vertically reciprocating said moistener, and

means for imparting an upward, backward,

downward and forward motion to said puller substantially as described.

17. In a stamp alixing machine a sliding plate 39 having a cam slot 41 formed therein,

a bar 140 reciprocated by said slot, a puller 132, means for connecting the puller to said bar on its backward stroke, means for disconnecting said puller from said bar and means for returning said puller substantially as described.

1S. In a stamp ailiXing machine a reciprocating plate 3,9 formed with cam slots 41 and 42, a bar 140 reciprocated by said cam slot 41, another bar 163 reciprocated by said cam slot 42, a puller, means for connecting said puller with the bar 140 during its backward movement, levers connected to the bar 163 and arranged upon the puller for depressing the same and disconnecting it from the bar 140 substantially as described.

19. In a stamp affiXing machine a sliding plate 33 formed with a cam slot 37, a plate reciprocated by said cam slot and comprising the members 103, 109, 110 and 111, cams 150 formed on said members 109 and 111, the plates 133, 134 arranged. to be moved upward by said cams and a puller arranged to be lifted by said plates, substantially as dej scribed. a

20. In a stamp aflixing machine a reciprocating plate 33 formed with a cam slot 37, a plate 103 reciprocated by said cam slot,

- arms 104 and 105 mounted on said plate, a

table, a feeder for moving stamps along said table, a cutter for severing the stamps on said table, a lever connected to said cutter the lower end of which lever is arranged to be operated by the said arms substantially as described.

21. In a stamp afliXing machine ainain top frame, a stamp cutter mounted therein, a lever connected to elevate said cutter, a reciprocating plate mounted on the base plate and arms on said reciprocating plate arranged to reciprocate the said lever, substantially as described.

22. In a stamp affiXing machine, a main top plate, a plunger mounted thereon, acam on said plunger, a plunger lever, a link connected toI said lever, a roller or projection connected to said link and arranged to run in contact with said cam, a main lever for operating the machine and a projection thereon for tripping the plunger lever, substantially as described.

23. In a stamp affiXing machine, a main top plate, a plunger mounted thereon, a cam on said plunger, a plunger lever, a link connected to said lever, a roller or projection connected to said link and arranged torun ioo in contact with said cam, a sliding plate connected to said plunger lever, a main operating lever and a projection thereon for moving said sliding plate substantially as described.

24. In a stamp a'lTiXing machine, a reciprocating plate 7, feeders mounted on said plate, plates or bars arranged at right angles to the feeders and connected-therewith and having inclined slots formed therein, bolts working in said slots, plates or bars to which said bolts are secured, and means for moving the last named plates or bars longitudinally at the limit of the 'forward movement of the said plate 7, substantially as described.

25. In a stamp affixing machine, a reciprocating plate 7, feeders mounted on said plate, plates or bars arranged at right angles to the feeders and connected therewith and having inclined slots formed therein, bolts working in said slots, plates or bars to which said bolts are secured, a movable bar 5S having cam notches impinging against the ends of said last named bars, a main operating lever, a projection on said main operating lever, a lever centrallyr connected to said bar 58 whose lower end is brought into the path of said projection when the plate 7 is moved forward substantiallyT as described.

26. In a stamp ai'HXing machine, a reciprocating plate 7, feeders mounted on said plate, plates or bars arranged at right angles to the feeders and connected therewith a sliding bar 58, a pair of levers connected to said bar 5S the lower end of one of which is brought into the path of the said projection when the plate 7 is moved forward, the lower end of the other of which is brought into the path of the said projection when the plate 7 is moved backward, and means for causing the reciprocation of the bar 58 to lower and raise the feeders substantiallyT as described.

27. In a stamp atlixing machine, a reciprocating plate, feeders mounted thereon, a ratchet wheel having a cani race for reciprocating said plate, trip levers carried back and forth by said plate, means operated by said trip levers for raising and lowering the feeders and a main operating lever for rotating the ratchet wheel and for alternately operating the said trip levers, substantially as described.

2S. In a stamp alfixing machine, a cam 1,13, a moistener, a sliding plate, an arm pivoted to said plate, a projection connected to said arm, the said arm and projection being arranged so that on one stroke the projection passes beneath the cam 113 and on the return stroke passes over said cani substantially as described.

29. ln a stalnp aflixing machine a moistener having a space therein, an auxiliary table, a feeder therefor the front end of which projects into the said space in the moistener and a puller also working in said space in the moistener substantially as described.

30. ln a stamp aHiXing machine a table upon which the envelop or package to be stamped or labeled is supported, a moistener, a puller for shifting the moistened stamps from the moistener to a point above said table and a 'linger or stop arranged to prevent the moistened stamp from being moved back by the puller substantially as described.

31. In a stamp aflixing machine, a moistener, a feeder and a puller working alternately in conjunction with the moistener, whereby the movement of the stamp on the moistener is interrupted, substantially as described.

WILLIAM C. VAN VLIET.

Vitnesses:

H. ALBERTUS VEs'r, MARQUIS LATHAM. 

